Does anyone have a good history of when the RI acquired control, and then a date for when they absorbed operations of the CK&N? I found a date of June 17, 1891 for when RI supposedly began gaining control of the assets. But when was control finalized? When were operations officially absorbed so the line was truly run as part of RI? Boxcab E50
Further possibility- At some point in time, the CK&N was leased by a company named the St. Joseph & Iowa RR. I cannot find much mention of the St.J&I. Perhaps my answer lies therein? Anyone? Boxcab E50
If you can find the book "The Fighting Railroad Mayor" it has a history of the CK&N and the Rock Island takeover. The book has some good pics of the Rock during the steam to early Diesel era plus the Rockets. It mainly deals with the Rock Island's Golden State route, as the author was employed with the RI on that division.
moonrunner- Hmmm. I'll ask around. See if anyone has a copy. By chance do you know an authors name? Or an approximate year it was published? Those details would help my search. Thanks! Boxcab E50
